VMware acquires Desktone, a desktop-as-a-service startup

Just a few months into his new job at VMware, former SAP executive Sanjay Poonen has orchestrated his first acquisition.

Poonen joined VMware in August to run the company’s end-user business and make strategic acquisitions. He immediately identified Desktone, a desktop-as-a-service startup (or DaaS), as a contender for an acquisition.

Desktop as a service involves the outsourcing of a virtual desktop infrastructure to a third-party provider. The provider is responsible for managing the data storage, backup, security, and upgrades.

Above: VMware’s Sanjay Poonen

“Desktone has been running DaaS at scale for many years and has a strong reputation in helping service providers go to market quickly,” Poonen wrote in a blog post. Desktone’s platforms are currently integrated with VMware’s vCloud, vSphere and Horizon View products.